City litter bugs given fines totalling £11,000

A total of 24 people who failed to pay a £75 fixed penalty notice for littering have been brought before the courts.

Sheffield City Council’s Environmental Protection Service has prosecuted 24 people for dropping litter at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court. Each was ordered to pay a financial penalty of £488.79.

A Council spokesman said: “The City Council encourages everyone to use the litter bins provided. Our Environmental Protection Officers will approach anyone they see dropping litter. The person will usually be offered the opportunity to pay a Fixed Penalty of £75. If the Fixed Penalty is not paid, then the matter will go to court.”

They were all fined £200, with costs awarded to the Council of £118.79, a victim surcharge of £20, and a Criminal Court Charge of £150. A total financial penalty of £488.79 each and a total amounting to £11,730.

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Notes for editors:
– National legislation makes dropping litter a criminal offence. Sheffield City Council combats litter by providing litter bins across the city, cleaning up the streets through our partnership with Amey, and using Environmental Enforcement Officers to detect littering offences.

– The council’s Environmental Enforcement Officers will issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone they see dropping litter. If the fixed penalty is paid, no further action is taken.

– The fixed penalty is £75 with a discount for prompt payment.

– If the fixed penalty is not paid, then the matter is referred to the courts. The maximum fine for dropping litter is £1,000 per offence.